Shoe-protector.



No. 719,933. PATENTED FEB. 3, 1903.

B. F. BOND.

SHOE PROTECTOR. ArrLIoATmn IILED MAR. 22, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN F. BOND, OF IiINGBEE, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO E. T. BURK, OF DONIPHAN, MISSOURI.

SHOE-PROTECTO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 719,933, dated February 3, 1903.

Application filed March 22, 1902. Serial No. 99,530. (No model.)

T 0 all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. BOND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kingbee, in the county of Ripley and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Protectors; and'I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in protectors for boots and shoes.

The object of my invention is to provide in a shoe-protector a structure composed of several parts and connected together in such manner as will give ease and grace to the shoe. The heel and sole sections are connected to permit all possible movements of the foot, so that the protector will readily accommodate itself as the foot changes its position.

In certain climates and localities the conditions are such that the life of shoes without a proper protector is decidedly of short dura tion, and this feature is one of the difficulties I have sought to overcome. Moreover, the invention is intended to be used by those who find it necessary to be out in slippery weather, the construction and arrangement of the details being such as will readily prevent one slipping.

Many other objects and advantages will be hereinafter referred to and be particularly.

pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forminga part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shoe, showing the application of myinvention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the protector detached. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the protector. Fig. 4 is a detail bottom plan View.

The numeral 1 represents thesole-section, which is shaped to fit a shoe and is further provided along the outer edgeswith an upturned preferably corrugated flange in order that the sole of the shoe may be properly positioned. In addition to the flange 2 clamping-wings 3 are also provided, those on the sides extending up and being turned over to embrace the side edges of the shoe-sole, and the one in the front (indicated at 4) extends up and over the toe of the shoe. The wing 4: not only performs its mission toward holding the sole-section in place, but has an additional function in that it prevents the toe being stumped out. Slots 4 may be employed to assist in preventing the wearer slipping. The rear end of the section 1 is somewhat reduced and is cut to form two lateral wings 5 and 6. These wings are slightly bent downwardly and out in order to form a space for the free passage of the counter-section 7, now to be described.

The counter-section 7, like the sole-section 1, is formed of one piece and is made of suitable design andconvenient configuration as will accommodate itself to the rear portion and lower part of the instep of the shoe. The two front ends of the section 7 gradually emerge from the sides thereof into flat surfaces. Lugs 8, struck from the lower part of the section 7, extend downwardly, and a smaller lug extends from the rear part of the sole-section 1. These lugs support an elastic or spring connection 9, by means of which and the lateral wings 5 the two sections are united. This connection, while somewhat limited, is sufficient to permit the parts to move in accordance with the action of the foot of the wearer.

Lugs 10 extend downwardly from the countor-section 7 and. receive fasteners 11, which secure said section, together with the heel-section 12, in position.

The heel-section 12 comprises a band having upwardly-extending lugs which register.

with the downwardly-extending lugs 10 of section 7and in wardly extending perforated lugs 12 to receive fasteners for securing the heel-sectio to the under side of the heel of the shoe. If it should be desired, the heelsection may be constructed as shown in Fig. lthat is to say, instead of simply providing the inwardly-projecting lugs I may employ a bottom 13, having a series of openings to prevent slipping. The parts thus assembled it will be readily understood that my invention can be easily applied to any shoe without the assistance of a skilled mechanic.

By constructing a joint intermediate the sole and counter sections the protector does not in any wise tend tostiifen the shoe, but,

on the other hand, makes the shoe structure resilient. My invention therefore provides a means whereby the shoe is conveniently protected and at the same time adds to the safety of the wearer.

From what has been said it will be seen that the invention is extremely simple and cheap and its advantages and merits will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is A 1. In a shoe-protector, a sole-section, a counter section having spring connection with the aforesaid sole-section, a heel-section secured to the under side of the heel of the shoe, fastenings securing the heel and counter sections together and to the heel, substantially as set forth.

2. In a protector for shoes, a sole-section, a counter-section, a spring binder connecting the aforesaid sections, a heel-section, fastenings for securing the latter to the bottom side of the heel and supplemental fastenings for securing the same to the sides of the heel,.the

latter fastenings constituting connecting means between the heel and counter sections, substantially as set forth.

3. In a protector for shoes, comprising a sole-section constructed of one piece, clamping-lugs thereon, one of said clamping-lugs forming a toe-piece, openings formed in the sole-section to prevent slipping, a countersection comprising a counter portion and shank-terminals, a spring-binder connecting the sole-section and shank-terminals of the counter-section, a heel-section having inwardly-projecting lugs, fastenings securing same to the bottom side of the heel, corresponding perforated lugs upon the heel and counter sections, and fastenings passing through said lugs, whereby the heel and counter sections are secured together and to the side of the shoe-heel, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. 

